Brush support device and cover

ABSTRACT

Cosmetic brushes are often transported within bags, purses, etc. To ensure long life of the same, cosmetic brushes should occasionally be cleaned and allowed to dry prior to next use. A brush support device may provide protection of bristles of cosmetic brushes during transportation, be configured to hold the brush in a bristles-down support configuration during drying and/or after use, and ensure uniformity as the bristles dry. The brush support device may include a gripping portion to grip a handle or a ferrule portion of the brush, a stand portion to support the brush in bristles-down position, and a vent portion in between the gripping and stand portions. By virtue of the vent portion, air is able to flow over and around the bristles to facilitate drying.

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic brushes are used to apply makeup. These brushes may be many different sizes and shapes depending on the type of cosmetic to be applied, the location to which the cosmetic is to be applied, etc. Bristles of cosmetic brushes may be prepared from a large selection of synthetic and/or naturally-occurring materials. Proper cleaning, drying, and protection of these bristles are important to prolong the useful life of the cosmetic brushes.

Proper cleaning may include, for example, cleaning the bristles of the brush with a brush cleaning solution and/or water. After performing such a cleaning and prior to next using the brush, the bristles must be dried. Typically, this drying may take place in a number of different ways. For example, a user may dry the bristles manually by using a cloth rag to soak up the excess water. By drying the bristles in this manner the user may inadvertently introduce unwanted fibers, oils, or dust from the cloth into the bristles. In addition to these undesirable consequences, the user runs a large risk of damaging the bristles by rubbing and/or applying too much pressure to the bristles; thus, causing breakage or the like.

According to another example, the user may place the brush with the bristles up into a cup or some other holding device to allow them to dry. If placed with the bristles up, excess water may run from the bristles down through the ferrule and towards the brush handle, possibly causing damage to the ferrule and/or handle. The bristles are also more likely to lose their original shape (especially conically flared brushes) because of the excess weight of the water pulling downwards or to the side (depending on the placement of the brush in the cup) on the bristles as they dry. Furthermore, excess water in or under the ferrule may damage the ferrule or the bristles held by the ferrule. For instance, excess water may cause rust or warping of the ferrule (depending on the material) and may allow mold and/or mildew to grow under or around the ferrule. Such damage will likely shorten the life of the entire brush because of the weakened and damaged ferrule area. Additionally, unless the cup or other supporting device is equipped with a drain, the excess water accumulation in the bottom of the cup may damage the brush handles. Especially, those handles composed of wood. Many of these problems are magnified if the user places the brush tip-down into the cup or lays the brush on its side to dry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical terms.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example brush support device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the example brush support device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the example brush support device of FIG. 1 with a cosmetic brush.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the example brush support device of FIG. 1 with a cosmetic brush gripped within the example brush support device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example brush support device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the example brush support device of FIG. 5 in an open position with a cosmetic brush.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example brush support device according to another embodiment in a first position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the example brush support device of FIG. 7 in a second position.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example brush support device according to another embodiment in a flattened position.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the example brush support device of FIG. 9 in a rolled-up position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the example brush support device of FIG. 9 in a rolled up position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an example brush support device according to yet another embodiment in an option position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the example brush support device of FIG. 12 in a closed position.

FIG. 14 is an example brush support rack according to one embodiment that may be used to hold one or more of the example brush support devices and/or other brush support devices.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an example suction device according to one embodiment that may be used to hold one or more of the example brush support devices and/or other brush support devices.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of an example brush support device according to yet another embodiment with a substantially cylindrical cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Typically, part of caring for cosmetic brushes includes washing the bristles of the brushes and allowing them to dry. The bristles of cosmetic brushes are constructed from many different natural hair (e.g., squirrel, badger, horse, human, pony, kolinsky, etc.) and/or synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, polyester, etc.). It is the bristles of cosmetic brushes that most affect the cost of the brushes. Thus, caring for one's brushes, especially by washing the makeup and facial oil from the bristles, is very important to ensure a long and useful life.

However, washing the bristles of one's brushes can also reduce the useful life of the brushes if done incorrectly. This is because prolonged soaking or submergence of the bristles can loosen the glue and binding that holds the bristles to the ferrule. Scrubbing of the bristles can also lead to the same problems as prolonged soaking Dabbing of the bristles or wiping them to accelerate the drying process can also do harm by introducing unwanted fibers to the bristles, weakening the bristle binding, disturbing the uniformity of the bristles, and the like. Thus, after washing one's brushes it is important that the brushes be supported in a non-harmful manner and allowed to air dry.

Additionally, oftentimes makeup brushes are stored in purses or bags, especially when traveling. This presents an additional situation where the useful life of the brushes could be reduced. For example, in some cases the bristles could become damaged by rubbing up against other brushes, makeup, or stray items also stored in the purse or bag. This damage could result in loosening of bristles, bending or breakage of bristles, non-uniformity of bristles, and the like. In other cases, the damage could come from products inadvertently spilt in the purse or bag that then come in contact with the bristles of the brush.

This application describes an example brush support device to provide protection and support for brushes. The brush support device may include a gripping portion to grip a handle or a ferrule portion of the brush, a stand portion to support the brush in a bristles-down position, and a vent portion in between the gripping and stand portions. By virtue of the vent portion, air is able to flow over and around the bristles to facilitate drying. In addition, the brush support device may be constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material to allow the brush support device to stand on its own and support the weight of the drying brush. Moreover, in some embodiments, the brush support device may be configured such that when the brush is inserted into the brush support device, the brush support device may be in physical contact with the bristles of the brush to uniformly hold the bristles in place. According to some embodiments, the brush support device may protect the bristles of the brush from inadvertent contact with oils, lotions, cosmetics, or other products that could damage the bristles. While the brush support device is described in various embodiments herein as supporting a brush, the brush support device may also be used to support other items having a handle portion, such as, for example, a sponge, flocking, a comb, a combination of any of the forgoing, or the like.

Illustrative Brush Support Device

FIG. 1 represents an illustrative brush support device 100 according to one embodiment. According to this embodiment, the brush support device 100 comprises a gripping portion 102, a vent portion 104, and a stand portion 106. Brush support device 100 may be formed, molded, or otherwise constructed as one-piece from an elastomeric material. For example, the gripping portion 102, the vent portion 104, and the stand portion 106 may constructed from an elastomeric material. Alternatively, the gripping portion 102, the vent portion 104, and the stand portion 106 may be constructed from other materials. Moreover, in various embodiments, the grip 102, the vent 104, and the sand portion 106 may be made of the same material or different materials. However, any suitable material may be used for the gripping portion 102 that is capable of gripping a handle or a ferrule portion of a brush. Likewise, any suitable material may be used for the stand portion 106 that is capable of standing on its own when the brush is inserted into the brush support device 100. Similarly, any suitable material may be used for the vent portion 104 that is capable of allowing ventilation. Examples of materials suitable for construction of brush support device 100 include, without limitation, metal (e.g., stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, titanium, zinc, magnesium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, alloys thereof, etc.), plastic, rubber, glass, ceramic, stone, composites of any of the foregoing, or the like. In some embodiments, the brush support device 100 may be coated or treated with one or more materials (e.g., a metal plating, a powder coating, an antimicrobial coating, a hydrophobic coating, a hydrophilic coating, an ultraviolet protectant coating, etc.) and/or subjected to one or more processes (e.g., anodizing, etching, polishing, etc.).

In the illustrated example, the gripping portion 102 of the brush support device 100 is substantially flat on the uppermost part and includes an opening 108. In other embodiments, the gripping portion 102 may be convex (i.e., domed), concaved (i.e., dished), conical, or any other shape suitable for gripping a handle or ferrule of a brush. Regardless of the shape of the gripping portion 102, the opening 108 may extend through the gripping portion 102 and into the vent portion 104. As explained in more detail below, a user may insert a handle of a brush through the opening 108 of the gripping portion 102 in order to facilitate use of the brush support device 100.

According to this embodiment, the vent portion 104 of the brush support device 100 may be constructed with spaces 110 to allow air to flow through the brush support device 100. The spaces 110 may be uniformly distributed around the vent portion 104 of the brush support device 100. Alternatively, the spaces 110 may be distributed in a non-uniform manner. The vent portion 104 and the spaces 110 may be constructed of a rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material. Additionally, the size of the spaces 110 may differ depending on the specific applications. For example, according to one embodiment, the spaces 110 of the vent portion 104 may be constructed of plastic mesh (e.g., extruded, oriented, expanded, tubular, etc.), metal mesh (e.g., woven, knitted, welded, expanded, etc.), natural fibers or fabric, or the like. In some embodiments, the vent portion 104 may also include a mesh or mesh-like lining along the inside cavity of the vent portion to provide uniform support and protection of bristles of brushes.

The vent portion 104 and the support portion 106 may be sized to accommodate removable insertion of a brush (as described with reference to FIGS. 3 & 4). Additionally, the support portion 106 may be constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material in order to provide support to brush support device 100 to hold the brush in a substantially upright position (e.g., with the handle up and the brush hairs down).

FIG. 2 is a top view of the brush support device 100. Again, according to this embodiment, the gripping portion 102 is substantially round and has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the support portion 106, which is also substantially round. The vent portion 104 is shown also with a rounded shape disposed between the gripping portion 102 and the support portion 106. However, according to other embodiments, the gripping portion 102, vent portion 104, and/or the support portion 106 may be other shapes, either uniform or non-uniform, besides round.

For example, in some implementations, the brush support device 100 may be configured to support a brush with a flat fan-shaped group of bristles, multiple flat fan-shaped groups of bristles, a flat rectangular-shaped group of bristles, multiple flat rectangular-shaped groups of bristles, a few individual larger bristles, a rounded group of bristles (e.g., with flat or domed distal end), or the like. Moreover, as discussed above, the brush support device 100 may also be used in conjunction with other, non-brush type applicators (e.g., sponges, flocking, comb, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the opening 108 of the gripping portion 102 is shown as a plurality of slits arrayed around a center point of the top side of the gripping portion 102. Alternatively, the opening 108 may be described as having an asterisk shape. According to other embodiments, the opening 108 may comprise more or less slits, one hole of any shape capable of gripping a handle or a ferrule of a brush, or the like. The opening 108, as discussed above, may be constructed of any material capable of gripping a brush.

FIG. 3 also illustrates the brush support device 100 of FIG. 1 in connection with an example brush 300. According to this embodiment, the brush 300 comprises a handle portion 302 of rounded construction, a ferrule portion 304 also of rounded construction, and a bristle portion 306. According to other embodiments, the handle portion 302, the ferrule portion 304, and the bristle portion 306 may have shapes and/or sizes different than those shown with reference to FIG. 3. According to this embodiment, the brush 300 may be removably inserted into the brush support device 100 as indicated by arrow 308. The handle portion 302 is shown being inserted first.

In referring to an example use of the brush support device 100, imagine that a user had just finished washing the bristle portion 306 of the brush 300. Thus, the bristle portion 306 may still be wet and should be dried prior to its next use by the user. To facilitate such drying and according to this embodiment, the brush 300 may be removably inserted into the brush support device 100 as indicated by arrow 308.

Turning now to FIG. 4, the brush 300 is shown securely held within the brush support device 100. More specifically, according to this embodiment, the gripping portion 102 may securely grip the handle portion 302 of the brush 300 and hold the brush 300 above surface 400 upon which the brush support device 100 rests. Additionally or alternatively, the gripping portion 102 may securely grip the ferrule portion 304 of the brush 300 in a similar manner. According to this embodiment, the brush 300 may be moved upwards and downwards (i.e., away from the surface 400 or towards the surface 400) within the vent portion 104 of the brush support device 100. Similarly, the gripping portion 102 may grip at different locations of the handle portion 302 and/or of the ferrule portion 304, depending on the size and shape of the brush (e.g., relative lengths of handle, ferrule, and bristles) and the location of the brush 300 within the brush support device 100.

Returning to the washing example of the brush 300, FIG. 4 shows how, according to one embodiment, the brush 300 may be mounted in the brush support device 100 in order to accommodate drying of the bristle portion 306 of the brush 300. According to this embodiment, excess water that may have accumulated on the handle portion 302, the ferrule portion 304, and/or the bristle portion 306 of the brush 300 will, by virtue of gravity, flow towards the surface 400. Moreover, as indicated by arrows 402, the construction of the vent portion 104, including the spaces 110, may allow air to freely circulate and flow over and around the handle portion 302, the ferrule portion 304, the bristle portion 306, and in between the individual bristles that make up the bristle portion 306. Additionally, in some embodiments, the bristle portion 306 may be in direct contact with the interior surface of the vent portion 104 to enable uniform alignment of the bristles of the bristle portion 306.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the brush support device 100 may provide protection for the bristle portion 306 while transporting the brush 300 or while the brush 300 is comingled with other brushes, cosmetics, or other items. For example, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the brush support device 100 may provide protection to the bristle portion 306 while the brush 300 is located within a makeup bag, tote, purse, or the like.

FIG. 5 shows a brush support device 500 according to another embodiment. According to this embodiment, the brush support device 500 comprises a gripping structure 502, a stand structure 504, a connecting structure 506, and a hinge assembly 508. The gripping structure 502 and the stand structure 504 may be cylindrically shaped. However, other shapes are contemplated. Additionally, the gripping structure 502 and the stand structure 504 may be separable into two different halves or pieces along lines 510(A) and 510(B) when tangential forces are exerted in opposite directions at the line 510(A) causing rotation around the hinge assembly 508 (see FIG. 6 and accompanying discussion). However, according to this embodiment, the brush support device 500 is shown in a closed position. When configured according to the closed position, the brush support device 500 may be more rigid than when the device 500 is configured according to a separated position as mentioned above.

According to this embodiment, the brush support device 500 may be constructed of materials having rigid and semi-rigid properties, for example, plastic, glass, ceramic, metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, brass, copper, alloys thereof, etc.), plastics, rubbers, composites, ceramics, glass, elastomers, or the like. In some embodiments, material(s) suitable for construction may have transparent or translucent properties. However, according to other embodiments, the brush support device 500 may be partially or completely opaque. The gripping structure 502 may also include a gripping strip 512 placed on the inside cylindrical surface of the gripping structure 502 to hold a brush in position. The gripping strip 512 may be constructed of any pliable or semi-pliable material capable of increasing the friction between the brush and the gripping structure 502 in order to hold the brush in place within the brush support device 500.

FIG. 6 shows the brush support device 500 in an open condition. In this figure, the brush 300 is shown being mounted in the brush support device 500. The brush support device 500 may be closed around an outside cylindrical surface of the brush 300 by rotating its halves about hinge assembly 508 in the direction of arrow 606. After closing the brush support device 500 in the manner just described, the brush support device 500 will resemble the configuration shown in FIG. 5. The gripping strip 512 (shown here as two separated halves), placed within the gripping structure 502, may help to securely hold the brush 300 at or near the handle portion 302 or the ferrule portion 304. According to this embodiment, the gripping structure 502, including the gripping strip 512, may be sized just slightly larger than a diameter of the handle portion 302 of the brush 300. In this manner, the brush 300 may be held by interference between the handle portion 302 and the gripping strip 512. According to other embodiments, however, the shape of the gripping structure 502 may be similar to other uniform (e.g., square, rectangular, oval, triangular, polygonal, etc.) and/or non-uniform shapes depending on the brush application.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the gripping structure may also include a closure mechanism, such as magnetic closures 602(A) and 602(B). Likewise, the stand structure 504 may include closures, such as magnetic closures 604(A) and 604(B). Although closures 602(A), 602(B), 604(A), and 604(B) are shown as magnets placed within the brush support device 500, any other closure means for releasably holding together the two halves of the brush support device 500 may also be suitable. For example, snap-fit, Velcro®, push-back, or the like.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another example brush support device 700, according to one embodiment. According to this embodiment, the brush support device 700 may include hinge assembly 708 and wings 706, each wing comprising a gripping structure 702, a gripping tab 710, and a stand structure 704. According to this embodiment, four wings 706 are shown connected to each other via the hinge assembly 708. Although, according to other embodiments, the number of wings 706 may be more than or less than four.

According to this embodiment, the brush support device 700 may be constructed of any one or combination of materials described herein for other embodiments. The gripping tabs 710 may be placed on the inside surface of the gripping structures 702 to enable the brush support device 700 to hold the brush 300 in position. The gripping tabs 710 may be constructed of any material having sufficient friction between the brush 300 and the gripping structures 702 in order to hold the brush 300 in place within the brush support device 700.

According to this embodiment, the interior of wings 706 may be shaped to accommodate the bristle portion 306 of the brush 300. As shown in FIG. 7, the brush 300 is held within the brush support device 700 such that the bristle portion 306 is above, but not in contact with the hinge assembly 708 or the stand structure 704. By applying a force in the direction of arrows 712 the brush support device 700 may be stabilized. FIG. 8 shows the brush support device 700 after the force has been applied in the direction of the arrows 712. Stability of brush support device 700 may be greatest when an angle α (measured between two of the wings 706) is around 90 degrees. However, according to other embodiments, the angle α may be less than or greater than 90 degrees.

FIGS. 9-11 show a brush support device 900, according to one embodiment. According to this embodiment, the brush support device 900 may comprise a gripping surface 902, a stand surface 904, and a tab 906. The gripping surface 902 may be configured to securely grip the handle portion 302 and/or the ferrule portion 304 of the brush 300. According to a wrapped position (shown in FIGS. 10-11), the gripping surface 902 may be in contact with the bristle portion 306 of the brush 300 in order to provide protection to the bristle portion 306 and to provide support for the brush 300 when configured according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.

According to this embodiment, the brush support device 900 may be constructed of at least one bistable spring band (i.e., “spring metal”) covered in silicon. Construction of the brush support device 900 using spring metal may enable the brush support device 900 to lay flat (FIG. 9) by creating tension within the spring metal bands when not in use, or just prior to being attached to the brush 300, and then coil up in a spring shape around the brush 300 (FIGS. 10-11) when a moment force is applied to the brush support device 900. This moment force may relieve the tension in the brush support device 900 and cause the brush support device 900 to spring back into a coil shape. This manner of using the brush support device 900 is similar to that of a “slap bracelet.”

As mentioned previously, the brush support device 900 may include the gripping surface 902 comprising an outer layer of silicon or other material with properties capable of gripping the brush 300 at or around the handle portion 302, the ferrule portion 304, and/or the bristle portion 306. The gripping material may cover all or only part of the gripping surface 902. Examples of materials suitable for the gripping material include, without limitation, fabrics, plastics, rubbers, composites, or the like. Additionally, instead of constructing the brush support device 900 of spring metal, the brush support device 900 may be constructed of other material(s) have spring-like qualities such as, for example, plastic.

Referring to FIG. 11, the brush support device 900 may be configured such that the stand surface 904 is in contact with a support surface 1108. According to this embodiment, the brush 300 is held in a bristle-down configuration. Such a configuration may, after washing the brush, enable water to flow away from the bristle portion 306 towards the surface 1108. Additionally, the brush support device 900 may ensure uniformity of the bristles of the bristle portion 306 of the brush 300 because of the coil formed by the spring metal characteristics of the brush support device 900. The brush support device 900 is shown as a solid sheet of material. However, in other embodiments, the brush support device 900 may be porous or include one or more through-holes to further facilitate drying of the brush 300.

FIGS. 12-13 show a brush support device 1200 according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 12 shows the brush support device 1200 in an open position and FIG. 13 shows the brush support device 1200 in a closed position. According to this embodiment, the brush support device 1200 may comprise a gripping surface 1202, a stand surface 1204, a hinge assembly 1206, and a protective surface 1208. The gripping surface 1202 may be configured to grip the handle portion 302 or the ferrule portion 304 of the brush 300. For example, the gripping surface 1202 may comprise a gripping strip 1210 aligned within the inside of the gripping surface 1202 to grip the outside surface of the brush 300 when in the brush support device 1200 is in a closed position as shown in FIG. 13. The gripping strip 1210 may be constructed, for example, of rubber, silicone, and/or a different material(s) with properties suitable to hold the brush 300 in place.

According to this embodiment, the protective surface 1208 may comprise a mesh or screen. For example, according to this embodiment, the protective surface 1208 may be constructed of plastic mesh (e.g., extruded, oriented, expanded, tubular, etc.), metal mesh (e.g., woven, knitted, welded, expanded, etc.), loose weave fabric, or the like. The protective surface 1208 may extend around to and in between the stand surface 1204. Similarly, the stand surface 1204, the protective surface 1208, and the gripping surface 1202 may be sized to releasably accept different styles and types of cosmetic brushes. The stand surface 1204 may be sized and shaped such that when placed on a support surface, the brush support device 1200 stands upright on the stand surface 1204 with the bristles faced downward.

Moreover, the brush support device 1200 may also include a closure mechanism 1212. According to this embodiment, the closure mechanism 1212 is shown as four magnets capable of closing and holding the gripping surface 1202 against the brush 300.

FIG. 14 shows a rack 1400 for holding and storing brushes or other cosmetic applicators. Rack 1400 may comprise a collar portion 1402 and a stand portion 1404. According to this embodiment, the rack 1400 may be constructed of one or more materials such as, for example, plastic, glass, ceramic, acrylic, metals (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, brass, copper, alloys thereof, etc.), rubbers, composites, elastomers, or the like.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, the stand portion 1404 may comprise a plurality of legs extending away from the collar portion 1402 in a manner adequate to provide support for the rack 1400. The collar portion 1402 may comprise, for example, at least one cut-away part 1406 to receive a brush or other cosmetic applicator. In the illustrated embodiment, the collar portion 1402 includes eight cut-away parts 1406. The shape of the cut-away parts 1406 may correspond to shapes of brush handles so that the brush handles are releasably held by the rack 1400. For example, FIG. 14 shows many different brushes 1408(A)-1408(H). According to this embodiment, the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H) may vary according to handle shape and size, ferrule shape and size, and bristle shape and size, among other characteristics. The size and shape of the cut-away parts 1406 may be uniform (e.g., one size fits all), or may each be sized to correspond to one of the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H).

In addition, the cut-away parts 1406 may be configured to accept and releasably hold the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H). According to one embodiment, the handles of the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H) may be deformable and be sized slightly larger than the cut-away parts 1406 such that the handles slightly deform when forced into the cut-away parts 1406 and exert an outward force to hold the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H) in place. According to another embodiment, the collar portion 1402 and/or the cut-away parts 1406 may be slightly deformable such that the handles of the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H) may be securely held when inserted into collar portion 1402. Any of the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H), according to this embodiment, may also include the brush support device 100 or any of the other brush support devices described herein. For example, the brush 1408(A) and the brush 1408(F) are shown including the brush support device 100.

However, according to another embodiment, the cut-away parts 1406 may be configured to hold at least some of the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H) via the brush support device 100 instead of holding the brushes 1408(A)-1408(H) via their handles as shown in FIG. 14. Thus, the brush support device 100 may be deformable such that it is releasably held by the collar portion 1402 when a brush is mounted in a brush support device.

FIG. 15 shows a suction device 1500 for holding and storing brushes, cosmetic or otherwise. According to this embodiment, the suction device may comprise a collar 1502 and a suction cup 1504. The collar 1502 may be releasably attached to the brush support device 100. Such releasable attachment may be achieved, for example, via a clip, a spring clamp, a wire clamp, a magnetic clamp, a collar sized slightly larger than the gripping portion 102 of the brush support device 100 and able to be tightened, a releasable ratchet, a deformable collar sized slightly larger than the gripping portion 102 of the brush support device 100, or the like. The suction cup 1504 may comprise a curved surface capable of using negative air pressure to adhere to a nonporous vertical or non-vertical surface 1506, for example, mirrors, tiles, counters, windows, or the like. Such a configuration may allow a user to use the suction device 1500 to hold a brush within the brush support device against a mirror, for example. Moreover, according to this embodiment, the suction cup 1504 may be designed to provide adequate rigidity and suction force to hold the brush 300 and the brush support device 100.

According to another embodiment, the suction device 1500 may be integrated with the brush support device 100 (e.g., molded as a single part, sonically welded, thermally welded, or fused) and constructed in a manner similar to that described in detail above regarding brush support device 100.

FIG. 16 illustrates yet another embodiment of a brush support device 100. In this example, the gripping portion 102 may have a diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the stand portion 106 so that the brush support device 100 is substantially cylindrical. However, in other variations of this embodiment, the brush support device 100 may have non-circular cross sections (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, oval, etc.). The vent portion 104 in this embodiment may consist of regular or irregular spaces 1600 bounded by a framework 1602 of rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible material. The spaces 1600 may be formed by a die-cut process, for example, providing ventilation as well as aesthetic distinction. During the die-cut process material is removed from the brush support device to form the spaces 1600, leaving behind the framework 1602. In FIG. 16, the back surface of the brush support device 100 that would be visible through the spaces 1600 is not shown for ease of illustration.

The gripping portion 102 may further include an opening 108 which, in the illustrated example, comprises a slot with bars at each end (resembling a capital letter “I”). A similarly or differently shaped opening may be located on the stand portion 106. In other words, in this embodiment, both ends of the brush support device 100 may have openings and act as gripping portions. By including openings 108 at each end, brush support devices according to this embodiment are reversible such that brushes may be inserted from and/or gripped by either end of the brush support device (the gripping portion 102 or the stand 106).

In some examples, the brush support device 100 disclosed in FIG. 16 may be configured to maintain a brush, such as a face brush or an eye shadow brush, in an inverted position so the bristle portion may dry without incurring any damage, as described above. Additionally, the brush support device 100 of this embodiment may be used to house and protect a brush during periods of non-use and/or transport. The brush support device 100 may be any size suitable for gripping a location on a handle portion of the brush while maintaining the bristle portion of the brush suspended above the stand portion 106. The opening 108 may be configured to grip a single brush or more than one brush. The brush support device 100 illustrated in FIG. 16 may include many other configurations and materials, as described above with regard to FIG. 1.

CONCLUSION

Although the application describes embodiments having specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are merely illustrative of some embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims of the application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A brush support device comprising: a gripping portion for securely gripping a handle or a ferrule of a brush and for suspending bristles of the brush above a bottom of the brush support device; a stand portion for supporting the brush in a tip-down position when the brush is removably inserted into the brush support device and securely gripped by the gripping portion; and a vent portion between the gripping portion and the stand portion configured to allow air to flow over the bristles of the brush.
 2. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion comprises a substantially planar surface with an opening formed therein, the opening extending into the vent portion.
 3. The brush support device of claim 2, wherein the opening comprises a plurality of slits arrayed around a center point of the flattened cylinder.
 4. The brush support device of claim 2, wherein the opening is shaped like an asterisk symbol.
 5. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the vent portion is in contact with the bristles of the brush and provides protection of the bristles when the brush is removably inserted into the brush support device.
 6. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the stand portion and the gripping portion are substantially circular, the stand portion having a larger diameter than the gripping portion, the vent portion being substantially cylindrical and extending from the larger diameter of the stand portion to a smaller diameter of the gripping portion.
 7. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the vent portion comprises a plurality of openings of differing size arranged around the vent portion.
 8. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the vent portion is further configured to be in direct contact with the bristles of the brush and to maintain a uniform shape of the bristles when the brush is removably inserted into the brush support device.
 9. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the brush support device comprises an elastomeric material.
 10. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the brush support device comprises at least one of the following aluminum, silicon, or plastic.
 11. The brush support device of claim 1, wherein the gripping portion, stand portion, and vent portion are molded as one piece and from one material.
 12. A cover device for holding and protecting a brush, the cover device comprising: a gripping surface configured to securely grip an elongated portion of the brush; and a stand surface in contact with a bristle portion of the brush and providing protection of the bristle portion when the gripping portion is engaged with the elongated portion of the brush.
 13. The cover device of claim 12, wherein the cover device has a flat rectangular shape in a first position and a cylindrical shape in a second position, the second position being when the stand surface is in contact with the bristle portion of the brush and the gripping portion is engaged with the elongated portion of the brush.
 14. The cover device of claim 12, wherein the cover device comprises a bistable spring band.
 15. The cover device of claim 12, further comprising a hinge assembly in contact with the stand surface, the stand surface configured to allow air to flow over the bristle portion of the brush.
 16. A brush support device comprising: a gripping structure for gripping an elongated portion of a brush; a stand structure connected to the gripping structure; a hinge assembly attached to the stand structure, the hinge assembly configured such that a rotation of the gripping structure from a first position to a second position relative to the stand structure rigidifies the brush support device.
 17. The brush support device of claim 16, wherein the gripping structure is cylindrically shaped, the gripping structure being separable into two pieces in the first position; and the stand structure is cylindrically shaped and comprises two pieces connected via the hinge assembly.
 18. The brush support device of claim 17, wherein the two pieces of the gripping structure are held together magnetically in the second position and the two pieces of the stand structure are held together magnetically in the second position.
 19. The brush support device of claim 16, wherein the gripping structure comprises at least four tabs of rigid construction, and the hinge assembly is located near a center point of a longitudinal axis of the brush when the brush is releasably inserted into the brush support device.
 20. A system for holding a brush comprising: the brush support device of claim 1; and a holder coupled to the brush support device to suspend the brush in the brush support device above a surface. 